Chapter Thirteen: Young Master, Isn't This Improper?

Deep within the Su family estate lay Su Mei’s secluded retreat. Wisps of sandalwood incense rose gently from a bronze censer, diffusing into a faint, misty haze that filled the air.

Opposite each other, Su Xingyue and Su Mei sat in quiet conversation. The room was decorated in an antique style, exuding an elegant and refined atmosphere.

“Mother, I understand that you may be feeling uneasy,” Su Xingyue began. “Though Lin Fan is nominally my husband, you know well that I originally brought him here to exploit his Yuan Yang energy to aid my breakthrough.”

“But I never expected his constitution to be so extraordinary—capable of helping others overcome their cultivation bottlenecks.”

“So, there’s no need for any guilt or hesitation. You need only regard him as a valuable asset that can help us advance.”

Su Mei sighed softly. “I was trapped in a demonic illusion not long ago, nearly losing myself to madness. It was a foolish ordeal.”

She shook her head, a trace of helplessness flickering in her eyes. “Yet Lin Fan’s constitution is truly remarkable. If we could keep him long-term within the Su family, then…”

Su Xingyue smiled faintly. “Mother, rest assured. I have already planted a Soul Lock spell on him and strictly forbidden anyone from approaching his little courtyard.”

“Moreover, I arranged for several of our most beautiful disciples to serve him. I imagine he will become completely captivated and unable to resist.”

A satisfied expression spread across Su Mei’s face. “With my innate talent, breaking through to the Nascent Core stage was once as difficult as scaling the heavens.”

“But now, reaching Golden Core is effortless, and even the Nascent Soul stage is within reach.”

Her eyes gleamed with excitement. “Mother, my younger sister has been stuck at the eighth level of Qi Refining for quite some time.”

Su Xingyue’s tone shifted suddenly. “She’s been asking me about it these past few days. Perhaps… Lin Fan could help her as well?”

Su Mei contemplated briefly. “Helping your sister break through is a given.”

She shook her head. “But now isn’t the time. Let’s wait until this foolish matter with Lin Fan passes.”

As she finished, a glint of spiritual light flickered, and a lifelike paper crane fluttered in.

The paper crane was pure white and remarkably vibrant, as if ready to take flight at any moment.

“This is a message crane from Xi Yue,” Su Xingyue whispered, gently tapping the bird with her fingertip.

The crane’s eyes shimmered softly, and the clear, melodious voice of Bai Xi Yue emerged from it.

“Master, today the young master is acting strangely. He won’t let us serve him closely but insists we focus on cultivation…”

Bai Xi Yue’s crisp voice reported every detail of the happenings in Lin Fan’s courtyard to Su Xingyue.

After listening, Su Xingyue furrowed her brow and glanced at Su Mei.

“Mother, does Lin Fan perhaps think that by helping them improve, they’ll help him against us?”

A cunning light sparked in Su Mei’s eyes. “Xingyue, have you planted slave marks on these girls?”

“Of course,” Su Xingyue replied sharply.

“Lin Fan is key to whether we can glimpse the Dao. There can be no mistakes.”

“To prevent any accidents, all of them bear slave marks—life and death are under our control.”

Su Mei nodded thoughtfully. “Currently, in Linjiang City, several major cultivator families stand side by side, and our Su family is the weakest.”

“Though I have now stepped into the Foundation Establishment stage, our family still lacks enough experts.”

Her eyes gleamed with resolve. “You should send more cultivation resources to them. Let them train diligently.”

“Have Lin Fan help them break through their bottlenecks. In the future, they will become crucial strength for the Su family!”

Su Xingyue’s eyes brightened. “Mother, your insight is profound!”

She immediately understood Su Mei’s intent. “Also, the two of us must intensify our cultivation efforts and strive for breakthroughs!”

...

The afternoon sunlight lazily poured into the courtyard, filling the air with a subtle scent of grass and wood.

Lin Fan lay on a bamboo lounge chair, idly swinging his legs and humming a tuneless little song.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves overhead, casting mottled shadows across his face, accentuating the lazy charm of his somewhat roguish features.

With eyes half-closed, he soaked in the warmth of the sun but felt a faint twinge of regret.

He had sent all the flirtatious girls away to secluded cultivation. Though their progress surged, the days had become unbearably dull.

Not a single soul to talk to—more torturous than a 9-to-9-6 grind.

His stomach growled at an inconvenient moment, reminding him it was already lunchtime.

He licked his lips, thinking, “Why hasn’t that little Xi Yue brought the food yet?”

Just then, light footsteps approached from afar. Lin Fan’s ears twitched, and a mischievous smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

Since breaking into the first level of Qi Refining, his senses had become far keener—he could hear sounds from a great distance.

With a creak, the courtyard door opened. Bai Xi Yue entered, carrying a food box, her face radiant with a sweet smile.

Today, Bai Xi Yue wore a pale green long dress. Her jet-black hair was pinned up with an emerald hairpin, giving her an exceptionally fresh and elegant appearance.

“Young master, guess what delicious things I’ve brought you today?” Bai Xi Yue teased as she approached, winking playfully with a hint of mystery in her voice.

Lin Fan lazily sat up, stretched, and grinned. “Steamed white fish? Or braised pork?”

Bai Xi Yue smiled softly. “Both, and your favorite—osmanthus cake!”

As she spoke, she laid out the dishes from the food box onto the table.

“The family head also asked me to deliver some pills and spirit stones for you to give to Su Yun, Su Fei, and the others.”

From her storage pouch, Bai Xi Yue produced more than a dozen small white porcelain bottles and a small pile of spirit stones, placing them on the table. The bottles gleamed with a faint medicinal fragrance, while the spirit stones shimmered softly, brimming with pure spiritual energy.

“Qi Condensation Pills—a total of twelve bottles—and thirty spirit stones.”

Lin Fan’s eyes brightened as he looked at the pills and stones. The pills could help the female disciples improve their cultivation, which in turn would enhance his own.

He grinned inwardly but kept his expression calm and indifferent.

“There are twelve bottles. Give each of them one as my reward. That leaves six bottles for you. Use them to cultivate well!” Lin Fan said, pocketing all thirty spirit stones left on the table.

“Master, isn’t that… a bit improper?” Bai Xi Yue blinked her clear, innocent eyes.

“You just take them if I say so! If your master asks, say I gave them to you! Besides, sticking with me, I won’t let you suffer any losses, right?” Lin Fan replied.

After all, these pills weren’t really his. Giving them to Bai Xi Yue was merely a formality. If she cultivated well, he would benefit in return.

And such a prime opportunity to win hearts and minds wasn’t something Lin Fan would easily pass up.

“Then I’ll serve you your meal!” Bai Xi Yue said with a bright smile.